Tempe Mental Health Crisis & Involuntary Hold Rules

Public Health and Welfare Arizona 3 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Arizona

In Tempe, Arizona, emergency mental health holds and involuntary evaluation are carried out under state mental health law and by local first responders when someone poses an imminent risk to themselves or others. This guide explains how the process works in Tempe, who enforces it, the typical administrative steps, and where to find official forms and contacts for crisis response and civil commitment. It is written for family members, advocates, and professionals who need practical steps to report, accompany, or respond to a mental health crisis in the city.

How emergency holds work in Tempe

Arizona law establishes the legal framework for emergency custody, evaluation, and civil commitment; local enforcement in Tempe is performed by the Tempe Police Department and cooperating behavioral health providers. For statutory authority and procedural text see Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36, Mental Health.[1]

When someone is an immediate threat, call 911 and request a crisis response.

Penalties & Enforcement

Mental health emergency holds are civil procedures, not criminal penalties; therefore typical monetary fines are not provided on the controlling statute page. Enforcement is carried out by law enforcement and designated behavioral health professionals; court orders may follow if civil commitment proceedings are initiated.

  • Enforcer: Tempe Police Department and responding crisis clinicians from county or state-contracted providers.
  • Controlling instrument: Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36 (mental health statutes).[1]
  • Fines/monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Court actions: civil commitment hearings may result from emergency detention; specific hearing timelines and appeal steps are governed by statute and court rules—see the statute for exact procedures.[1]
  • Inspection/complaint pathway: report conduct or concerns to Tempe Police non-emergency dispatch or file inquiries with the Tempe Police Department internal affairs or community services units (see Resources below).
Emergency holds are civil and focus on evaluation and safety, not criminal punishment.

Applications & Forms

There is no Tempe-specific “involuntary hold” form published as a city bylaw form; petitions and filings arising from emergency holds (for continued detention or commitment) are handled through county court procedures or the public behavioral health system. Fee amounts, official form numbers, and filing locations are not specified on the cited statute page; contact Maricopa County Superior Court or the Tempe Police Department for filing details.

Action steps for family, friends, and professionals

  • If there is immediate danger, call 911 and clearly state that someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • If not an emergency, contact Tempe Police non-emergency dispatch or local crisis lines to request a welfare check or mobile crisis team.
  • Document observable behavior (dates, times, statements, threats, injuries) to share with responders and, if applicable, with the court.
  • If an emergency hold leads to a civil commitment petition, attend scheduled hearings and consult an attorney or public defender for representation.
Keep personal safety as the priority: do not attempt to detain someone alone if they are violent.

FAQ

What is an involuntary hold?
An involuntary hold is a civil emergency detention for evaluation when a person appears to be a danger to self or others under Arizona mental health statutes.
Who can place someone on a hold?
Law enforcement officers and certain designated clinicians can take a person into emergency custody consistent with state law; in Tempe, responding Tempe Police officers and crisis clinicians typically perform this role.
How long can someone be held?
Specific maximum hold lengths and timelines for hearings are governed by state statute; the exact durations are not specified on the cited statute page and must be confirmed in the statute text and local procedures.[1]

How-To

  1. Call 911 if someone is an immediate danger or is threatening to harm themselves or others.
  2. Provide dispatchers with clear details: location, behavior, weapons, and medical needs.
  3. When officers arrive, calmly provide documentation and any known medical or mental health history.
  4. If a hold leads to court action, obtain legal advice and follow court notices for hearings and evidence submission.

Key Takeaways

  • Emergency holds in Tempe operate under Arizona state mental health law and are enforced locally by Tempe Police and crisis clinicians.
  • Call 911 for imminent danger; for non-emergencies, contact local crisis lines or Tempe non-emergency dispatch.
  • Specific fines or monetary penalties are not part of the emergency hold statute; follow-up civil procedures are handled through county courts.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36 - Mental Health

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